FdA Early Years, Care and Education

Year 1

Core modules

• Professional Practice (SOUD1443)

  This is a work based learning module where students will be encouraged to evaluate their own professional skills, abilities and competencies and compare these with those required for their occupation, profession or workplace.

• Supporting Wellbeing (SOUD1444)

  This module focuses upon developing skills in facilitation and response to young children's needs holistically. Evaluation of the roles and responsibilities of all professionals and role of the parent will also be considered.

• Investigation for Practice (SOUD1445)

  Investigation for Practice will use key theoretical underpinnings of early years research to bridge the gap between research and practice. It will aim to develop understanding and critical awareness of the benefits of childhood research, including observational methodology and ethical issues.

• Policy and Society (SOUD1446)

  This module aims to develop students' knowledge and understanding of childhood as a social construct. Examination of the complexity and diversity of children's experiences of early childhood in contemporary British society will be considered. Students will examine key structural changes, important social institutions and services and how this has been influenced by long-term historical changes and legislation.

• The Developing Child (SOUD1447)

  Students will explore a range of psychological theories that inform an understanding of how children learn, grow and develop relationships with others. From conception to 8 years old influential factors such as diet, stress, early education and secure relationships will be discussed and linked to practice. Students will develop their skills in observation and analysis to meet the individual needs of children.

• Pedagogy of Play (SOUD1448)

  The aims of this module are to develop students' ability to evaluate the complex nature of children's play. To reflect upon practice and synthesise contemporary issues impacting on children's play, whilst examining and discussing the place of play in current early years practice, with reference to underlying principles and debates associated with a playful pedagogy for students to understand and recognise the role of observation as an early years practitioner.

Final year

Core modules

• Child Development (SOUD2409)

  Children have an extraordinary capacity for learning, even from before the moment of birth. This module will introduce some of the methods that have been used to explore the nature of infants' and young children's development and learning. Students will be encouraged to develop a critical understanding of relationships between theoretical models and research findings.

• Self Concept and Identity (SOUD2410)

  This module emphasises the active sense making role of the growing child in building his/her identity and view of self-in-the-world. Whilst always giving weight to the contributions of heredity, temperament and potent features of the environment, the active interaction between child and significant others is seen as the major determinant of personhood, shaping emotional, social and moral development.

• Comparative Education (SOUD2411)

  This module encourages students to look beyond UK borders by examining education systems around the world, utilising comparative frameworks and considering global conceptualisations of education. The module allows students to review and evaluate practice from different perspectives potentially influencing practice in the UK.

• Safeguarding and Child Protection (SOUD2412)

  This module identifies the key concepts, definitions, legislative framework and policy that are key to safeguard children from harm. Safeguarding is examined from a historical and contemporary context, exploring the rights of a child and the implications for practitioners

• Research Methods (SOUD2413)

  A research methodologies based module focusing on the research process. In this module students will identify an area of research, write a proposal which links to underpinning theoretical frameworks to form a solid research platform linking to SOUD2414 Professional Investigation.

• Professional Investigation (SOUD2414)

  This module is designed to allow students to research an individual topic area linked to their area of practice through a negotiated and supervised individual work based project.